Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
The certified weight of a packed container. Without it, the container is not loaded.
It has been required under SOLAS since 2016. The shipper named on the bill of lading certifies the gross mass of the packed container, including the container's own tare weight. No carrier may load a container without one.
There are two accepted methods. Weigh the packed container, or weigh the cargo and packaging and add the container tare weight from the plate on the door. An estimate is not accepted.
The warehouse often does the weighing. That does not move the responsibility. It stays with the shipper named on the bill.
Also called: SOLAS VGM.
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